September 9, 2021
Conserving Ras Al Khaimah’s Botanical Diversity
Ras Al Khaimah is home to a diverse ecosystem of plant species, many of which have medicinal uses and cultural significance in addition to supporting wildlife. As the human population and associated urban development increases in the Emirate, it is essential to ensure the national heritage related to plant diversity is protected. In this policy paper, we present the results of an emirate-wide botanical survey that explores how the plant species, present across Ras Al Khaimah, vary according to the Emirate’s geography. In total, 320 plant species were documented in the survey, 293 of which were identified. Some of the recorded species are either uniquely found in the Emirate or are rare and endangered. Four main vegetation types have been identified in the Emirate: coastal and lowland vegetation, plains vegetation, low mountain vegetation, and high mountain vegetation. Within each of these, there are several distinct subtypes that contain unique species and species common to the primary vegetation type.
Additionally, this paper collates all known medicinal plants in Ras Al Khaimah and reports their medicinal uses according to Emirati tradition. 103 of the 320 plants recorded in the botanical survey have known medicinal uses for various ailments. Knowledge of these medicinal uses, however, is at risk of being lost due to changes in lifestyle and the increasing modernization of medicine.
A robust conservation plan should protect all vegetation types identified in this survey. In particular, we recommend that greater attention is paid to three areas of high importance for plant biodiversity: the mountains Jabal Jais and Jabal Sahab (Wadi Sfai) and the mangroves along Ras Al Khaimah’s coast. These sites include plant species of high priority only found in a single location, locations with decreasing populations, or both. Conservation should further encompass safeguarding the knowledge and variety of uses of medicinal plants and the areas and seasons in which they can be gathered. We suggest using an approach that: 1) preserves knowledge through the creation of a database of local knowledge and; 2) raises awareness through public education in schools and museums. Conserving wild plants and their respective cultural traditions is critical to the sustainability of Ras Al Khaimah’s natural and cultural heritage.
Recommended citation: Tsaliki, M. (2021). Conserving Ras Al Khaimah's botanical diversity (Policy Paper No. 49). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. LINK
